Fake Android app humiliates illegal downloaders

A "new" version of Walk and Text – which is available as a legitimate app from the Android Market – was recently posted on several notorious file-sharing sites, renowned for their wealth of pirated material.

However, users attempting to install the non-existent 1.3.7 version of Walk and Text got a rather nasty – and ultimately well-deserved – surprise. This is definitely my favourite news story of the week.

A “Cracking…” screen appears initially, but rather than cracking Walk and Text, sensitive information such as the user’s name, phone number and IMEI are sent to an external server. And the fun doesn’t end there.

A text message is then sent to everyone in the user’s contact list, saying: “Hey,just downlaoded a pirated App off the Internet, Walk and Text for Android. Im stupid and cheap,it costed only 1 buck.Don’t steal like I did!” Brilliant.

The spelling mistakes and poor grammar appear to be intentional, probably in an attempt to further humiliate the user, as the final message is written in near-perfect English. It reads: “We really hope you learned something from this. Check your phone bill;) Oh and don’t forget to buy the App from the Market,” and is accompanied by a link to purchase the app legitimately.

The word “sanctimonious” springs to mind - who hasn’t dabbled in the odd illegal download? But a hilarious story nonetheless. Great stuff.

Breaking News: I actually disagree with the IMEI-theft and the sending out of messages more than I disagree with the download of a pirated app. Here's why:
Google's very business is the promise of free stuff. Free this free that. Google twist users' heads with sponsored results on the search page. They raised people on the 'I feel lucky' search button.
Etc Etc... and it's not just Google, of course. The entire web is build on the false notion of 'FREE'... unlimited broadband? FREE download - meaning "ad-ware"... People are getting dizzy! Any surprise?
Sure, clever folks possibly searched for that Android app in order to save a buck, but I bet many 'victims' of this counter-attack downloaded it quite innocently! Heck, the app is free on many Samsung phones. Possibly someone said, hey, it's free over at http://www.xyz...
I'm not saying, GO and get pirated software or 'free' music - not at all! I spend loads on software. But there is proportionality! Whoever did that picked the wrong weapon and applied it to the weakest link in this rotten chain. It's bullying.

Tricky, its a clever idea to bring up the screen saying the user was cheap for using a file sharing site to get a "free" version, however I think texting all the people in their contact list is going a bit far

And they lose the moral high ground as soon as they start sending texts automatically.
It really fills you with confidence for the legit program and what they may do with your information in that. Big back fire if you ask me.